Israel's Handcyclist Heads the Paralympics
As an able-bodied adult, Nati Gruberg was a self-proclaimed couch potato. But after losing the use of his legs in an accident, he is now Israel’s No. 1 Handcyclist.
The accomplished handcyclist, husband, and father of three, was the only Israeli handcyclist to receive an invitation to the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. He has cycled and raced all over the world. But he doesn’t do it for the fame or the fortune, he says, “I’m doing it for myself.” Cycling has helped Gruberg lead an active and healthy lifestyle and to maintain physical and emotional balance in the face of an injury.
This year, Gruberg is once again proud to represent Israel at the Paralympic Games. “As an Israeli champion, I ride with an Israeli flag on my shirt and on my bag. I’m very, very proud to get to a place where I can represent Israel with a lot of honor. It’s one of the things that pushes me – I want everybody to see that we’re here, we’re good.”
The accomplished handcyclist, husband, and father of three, was the only Israeli handcyclist to receive an invitation to the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. He has cycled and raced all over the world. But he doesn’t do it for the fame or the fortune, he says, “I’m doing it for myself.” Cycling has helped Gruberg lead an active and healthy lifestyle and to maintain physical and emotional balance in the face of an injury.
This year, Gruberg is once again proud to represent Israel at the Paralympic Games. “As an Israeli champion, I ride with an Israeli flag on my shirt and on my bag. I’m very, very proud to get to a place where I can represent Israel with a lot of honor. It’s one of the things that pushes me – I want everybody to see that we’re here, we’re good.”